Week One – May 2, 2021

Title: Unstoppable Mission

Bible: Acts 2:32 – 47

 

Matthew 11:12 (NLT) And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.

 

 

Elevation Christian Church’s Mission:

“Engage people so they can experience life change in Jesus.”

 

“We are NOT the original church but an expression of the original church FOR today.”

 

Acts 2:32 – 47 (NLT) 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

 

Everyone is INVITED (New Follower)

John 4:28 – 30 (NLT) 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.

 

Matthew 4:19 (NLT) 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

 

Everyone is GROWING (Growing Follower)

Philippians 1:9 (NLT) 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

 

Acts 2:46 – 47 (NLT) 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

 

Everyone is NEEDED (Multiplying Follower)

I Corinthians 12:20 – 21 (NLT) 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

 

Galatians 5:13 – 14 (NLT) 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

Everyone must GO (Catalytic Follower)

Matthew 28:19 – 20 (NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

So, the question is where do you see Jesus leading you when it comes to this mission, what step do you need to take?

What three people are you going to invite to be here next week for Mother’s Day?

What team are you going to serve on here at Elevationcc?

Are you willing to be sent to start another venue where people can hear the gospel?

Week Four – April 25, 2021

Title: Truth Be Told

Bible: 2 Corinthians 4:7 – 12, 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18

 

Here is the chorus to the song Truth Be Told:

I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine but I'm notI'm broken

And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's notAnd you know it

I don't know why it's so hard to admit itWhen being honest is the only way to fix it

 

There's no failure, no fallThere's no sin you don't already knowSo let the truth be told

 

Lie number one you're supposed to have it all togetherAnd when they ask how you're doingJust smile and tell them, "Never better"

 

Lie number 2 everybody's life is perfect except yoursSo keep your messes and your woundsAnd your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

 

2 Corinthians 4:7 – 12 (NLT) 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

 

In the song Truth be Told Matthew West writes:

There's a sign on the door, says, "Come as you are" but I doubt it'Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded

But didn't you say the church should look more like a hospitalA safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigalsLike me

 

2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18 (NLT) 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

 

“FINE always fails unless it is centered in FOREVER TRUTH”

 

Fragile

Psalm 43:18 (NLT) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

 

Insightful

Ephesians 1:17 (NLT) asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

 

Never Ending

2 Corinthians 2:18 (NLT) 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

 

Embracing

John 13:35 (NLT) Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Week Three – April 18, 2021

Title: Relationship Lyrics

Bible: Luke 15:11 – 32, 2 Corinthians 2:1 – 5

 

“Minefields’ examines what we, as humans, are willing to do to reunite with a loved one – whoever it may be. It poses the question, during times of desperation or despair, what risks are we willing to take, driven by the power of love? This is especially poignant during these trying times.”  By Faouzia

 

The chorus is this:

These minefields that I walk throughWhat I risk to be close to youThese minefields keeping me from youWhat I risk to be close to you

 

“Relationship Risk comes with Release, Receive, & Restore.”

 

Luke 15:11 – 13 (NLT) 11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

 

Luke 15: 17 – 19 (NLT) 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”

 

Now this might be a mistakeThat I'm calling you this lateBut these dreams I have of you ain't real enough

 

Started bringing up the pastHow the things you love don't lastEven though this isn't fair for both of us

 

Luke 15: 20 (NLT) 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

 

Luke 13:31 – 32 (NLT) 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’

 

“Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance, grace gave him a feast.” By Max Lucado

 

2 Corinthians 2:5 – 8 (NLT) 5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

 

In the song Minefields they wrote:

I didn't notice what I lostUntil all the lights were offAnd not knowing what you're up to tortured me

 

Now this might be a mistakeWe're broken in so many waysBut I piece us back together slowly

 

2 Corinthians 2:510 (NLT) 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

 

Are there any relationships that we are trying to hold onto that need release?

 

Is there a person that you need to receive back into your life?

 

What are you willing to do to restore things?

Week Two – April 11, 2021

Title: Beyond the Lyrics

Bible: Various

 

“What Other People Say

I used to call my mom every SundaySo she knew her love wasn't far awayBut now I'm all messed up out in LA'Cause I care more about what other people say

I used to not take chances with God's nameBut it's been so long since I last prayedAnd now I'm all messed up and my heart's changed'Cause I care more about what other people say

 

Isaiah 29: 16 (NLT) How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?

 

Romans 9:20 (NLT) 20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”

 

“A Distortion of Design will always Conflict with the Creator.”

 

Sam Fischer jumps into the song and he sings his verse:

I wish I could shelter the boy I knewFrom the constant hell I put him through'Cause I'm all grown up and I'm black and blueI could use some tape, I could use some glue

 

Sam Fischer is looking for a repair, for the ability to keep things barely together after all that he experienced in his younger days.  Jesus is about restoration, rejuvenation.  It is not just about taking the distorted/damaged creation and taping it together he is about taking that creation and making it like NEW. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

“The Creation understands its value from the Creator it’s a Masterpiece.”

 

Psalm 139:14 – 17 (NLT) 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

 

God loves you deeply. Romans 5:8

God values you highly. 1 John 3:1 – 2

God provides for you fully. Phil 4:19

God planned you carefully. Eph. 1:3 - 5

 

Philippians 1:6 (NLT) 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

 

I used to not take chances with God's nameBut it's been so long since I last prayedAnd now I'm all messed up and my heart's changed'Cause I care more about what other people say 'Cause I care more about what other people say

 

“Your gifts lie in the place where your values, passions and strengths meet. Discovering that place is the first step toward sculpting your masterpiece, Your Life.” Michelangelo

Week One – April 3rd & 4th Easter 2021

Title: Music Makes Us Think

Bible: John 12:23 – 27, Matthew 26:39, Hebrews 12:2 - 3

 

Sam wrote in the chorus and the second verse:

It's been a longA long time comingBut I know a change gonna comeOh, yes it will

 

It's been too hard livingBut I'm afraid to die'Cause I don't know what's up thereBeyond the sky

 

John 12:23 & 24 (NLT) 23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

 

“Our most meaningful times in life generally follow the most difficult trials”

 

In the song the next lyric is:

Then I go to my brotherAnd I say, brother, help me pleaseBut he winds up, knockin' meBack down on my knees

 

John 12:27 (NLT) 27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!

 

Matthew 26:39 (NLT) 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

 

Difficult trials lead to distractions that challenge us.

 

The last verse in Change is Gonna Come is this:

Oh, there been times that I thoughtI couldn't last for longBut now I think I'm able, to carry on

 

Matthew 26:39 (NLT) 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

 

John 12:27 (NLT) 27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!

 

Purpose pushes us to press on.

 

Hebrews 12:2 – 3 (NLT) 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

 

It takes a death to have a resurrection.

It takes pain to have progress.

It takes a trial to have a testimony.

It takes a hurt to have a healing.

It takes a struggle—to have a story worth telling.

 

It's been a longA long time comingBut I know a change gonna comeOh, yes it will

Week Four – March 28, 2021

Title: Together is Never too much

Bible: Romans 12:1–8; Ephesians 4:11–12

 

 “It’s Ok, to not Be Ok. But Jesus doesn’t want you to Stay that Way.”

 

“BROKEN people change through the BOND of BOLD community.”

 

Romans 12:1 – 3 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice —the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

 

Romans 12:4 – 8 (NLT) 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

 

Ephesians 4:11 – 12 (NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

 

Sacrifice Self

Mark 8:34 (NLT) 34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

 

Learn New

Romans 12:2 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

 

Colossians 3:10 (NLT) 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

 

Belong

Romans 12:4 (NLT) 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Serve Well

1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

 

1 Romans 12:11 (NLT) 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

 

Build Up

1 Thessalonians 5:10 – 12 (NLT) Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Week Three – March 21, 2021

Title: Common Help

Bible: Philippians 4:1–9

 

“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”  by C.S. Lewis

 

“Going beyond SELF requires BOLD community”

 

Philippians 4:1 – 9 (NLT) 2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

 

B – Biblical Truth

John 17:7 (NLT) Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

 

John 8:44 (NLT) 44For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

 

Romans 1:25 (NLT) They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

 

O – Open

Mark 8:32a (NLT) As he talked about this openly with his disciples . . .

 

Colossians 4:6 (NLT) Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

 

L – Loving  

Philippians 2:2 (NLT) Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

 

D – Devoted

 

Choose a church.

Commit. Love. Serve. Maturity.

 

Don’t choose a church.

Drift. Self. Take. Immaturity.

 

Formation happens through commitment. By John Tyson (Author)

 

James 1:5 – 6 (NLT) 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

 

Questions for the week:

Am I truly seeking to be a part of the common help of the church?

What part of being BOLD do I need to focus on this week?

Week Two – March 14, 2021

Title: The Health of Struggle

Bible: Various

 

1 in 4 people are touched by mental illness and that there are over 3.5 million homeless mentally ill people in the US.  

 

“Struggles are Knots in life that lead us to Awareness”

 

Spiritual Struggles

Knot of Unbelief:

John 16:9 (NLT) 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.

 

Knot of the Unseen:

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 

Life Struggles

Knot of a Broken World:

Romans 8:20 – 22 (NLT) 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

 

Knot of Broken People:

Mark 7:20 – 23 (NLT) 20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

 

Image Struggles

Knot of Self-image

Genesis 3:7 (NLT) 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

 

Knot of Others & Comparison

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) 12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

 

 

 

Open Our Minds

Romans 8:5 – 7 (NLT) 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.

 

Open Our Eyes

Hebrews 12:2 – 3 (NLT) 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

 

2 Corinthians 5:16 (NLT) 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!

 

Open Our Hearts

Romans 5:5 (NLT) 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

 

John 16:33 (NLT) 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

 

Two things to think about:

Do the struggles in everyday life feel too much for me to handle?

How can I help others that are dealing with the struggles of life?

Week One – March 7, 2021

Title: Being Helpless is Helpful

Bible: Ezekiel 34:4 – 8, John 10: 11 – 16, Acts 20: 28 – 32,

 

“When someone comes forward at church with cancer, Christians can’t collapse fast enough around that person to help them. Yet when someone comes forward with depression, Christians can’t back up fast enough or blame their lack of faith.” Dr. Jeremiah Johnston

 

“Understanding Needs, Needs Understanding from the Shepherd”

 

Ezekiel 34: 4 – 8 (NLT) 4 You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. 5 So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. 6 They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them. 7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve.”

 

John 10: 11 – 16 (NLT) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So, I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

 

Acts 20:28 – 32 (NLT) 28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

 

An Unprotected Heart & Mind

Romans 8:6 (NLT) 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

 

Philippians 4:7 (NLT) 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

Unreceived & Unshared Grace

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

 

Acts 20:24 (NLT) 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

 

“I have learned now that while those who speak about one’s miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.” C.S. Lewis

 

Two questions for you:

What is the challenge here for you today?

Who are you willing to speak with this week about the hurt in your life?

Week Three – February 28, 2021

Title: Discipleship is Never Done!

Bible: Mark 16:1–8

 

“Following Jesus never has a FINISH”

 

Mark 16:1 – 8 (NLT) 1Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died. 8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. Then they briefly reported all this to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.

 

Start by listening to. . .  JESUS

Mark 4:24 – 25 (NLT) 24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

 

Bible: What scripture is the Holy Spirit using to teach you something?

Attention: What am I learning about Jesus?

Saying: What is Jesus saying to me?

Invite: What am I going to do about it?

Care: What need am I going to meet or relationship am I going to care & cultivate?

Share: With whom am I going to share my story and God’s story?

 

 

Stop focusing on . . . OBSTACLES.

Mark 16: 3 (NLT) 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

 

2 Corinthians 9:10 (NLT) 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

 

“The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, the leader adjusts the sails.” John Maxwell

 

Seek to live . . . AWESTRUCK.

Hebrews 12: 28 (NLT) 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

 

Stay on the . . . MISSION.

 

Mark 1:17 (NLT) 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

 

Matthew 28:18 – 19 (NLT) 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

Questions:

What obstacle am I so focused on right now that I have stopped listening to Jesus?

 How am I at living on the mission of fishing for people?